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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

☞ DRINK: Restauranteur Vies for Lenox Lounge

A Bespoke reader has confirmed that the Nobu group's interest in opening a spot in Harlem is actually a reality. What has not been revealed in the past is that the new venture of the downtown restauranteur (responsible for Nobu) will involve Harlem's own Lenox Lounge. Will Lenox Lounge then become the next Red Rooster? The Wall Street Journal had an article a couple of months back that made it known that Nobu's Richie Notar's next move will involve an uptown spot but did not mention the nature of the new business: LINK. As most folks know by now, Lenox Lounge is losing its lease because of rent increases and apparently a new liquor license request was posted on the window of the iconic establishment last week announcing Mr. Notar's interest.

The complicated thing here is that there are three parties involved and the communication does not seem to be flowing accordingly. One local resident had this to report about the situation:

Last week, Alvin Reed, President of Lenox Lounge, Inc., discovered that a group (from Nobu Restaurant?) had applied for a liquor license for the space that the lounge currently occupies. The liquor license application was taken off the agenda at last Thursday's community board meeting, at the request of the group that was applying for it. Apparently, they showed up in court earlier that day, where Mr. Reed was embroiled in a case against the landlord. The landlord is, apparently, using the Lenox name and history to attract potential tenants to the space, without explaining that he does not own either the business or the trademark.

Now the review for the liquor license is on hold and it is unclear if the Nobu group will still proceed going forward unless all parties come to a conclusive decision. This could work out for everyone involved but a collaboration with all groups in the negotiation process would have to happen. Does anyone have other updates on the situation?

51 comments:

As CEO of ZAR Entertainment who has hosted several successful events and is a strong supporter at the iconic establishment find it unsettleing that there was not more support for the Lounge and against the new establishment trying yo muscle in. In fact at a recent meeting with Mr. Reed our CEO, Atif Madyun strongly urged the Lenox team to Motion the Court for several Real-estate legal demands the Lenox Legal team were very much unaware of at the time.

The Nobu group needs to buy the trademark and name from Mr. Reed. That's a win for all involved. Look what Keith McNally did with Minetta tavern - very similar story in that the old owner could not afford the new rent, and McNally bought the trademark as well as some the interior decor (the iconic pictures on the walls, the bar, etc.) and has a new lease with the landlord. He kept the best of the old while putting some nice new touches in (the black and white floor, curtains over the windows, etc). I sympathize with Mr. Reed but hope he is not unrealitic in the price he is asking. At the end of the day, he will probably come around, because if he doesn't sell it to the new leaseholder, he has nothing.

sorry that the long time proprietier is losing his lease. However, they really never kept up with times and invested in the place.

ALSO , that ridiculous threatened lawsuit against Lenox Social for using Lenox in its name - now renamed Corner Social - lost me as a fan.. No one owns the name of the AVENUE!, or "Harlem" for that matter.

Couldn't agree more! The Lenox Lounge has become one of the most unfriendly establishments in Harlem. We used to host Happy Hour there, from our work, but the lack of friendly service and courtesy made us give up. We support other local businesses who appreciate our business. Their threat to Corner Social was unwarranted. I must say - Corner Social is very nice, very friendly and just what Lenox Lounge could have become.

Mike I could not agree more!! It is not enough to say we were the first or we have been here for xyz number of years etc. You have to focus on being relevant and continuing to bring through new clients. I had a friend go there recently and she said the service was poor the drinks were sub par and the music on offer was not stunning.

Ideally, with the new owners, Lenox Lounge would be preserved with décor and Jazz, maybe spruce up the interior and have a good Jazz lineup, modern DJ and bar and food offerings. But they really need to up their game to become part of the new Harlem upper Lenox restaurant row. It is sad how Lenox Lounge has been left behind by the current owners. Red Rooster, Chez Lucienne and most notably Corner Social are booming, Lenox Lounge with all its advantages should also be booming with the right management. Maybe hire Marcus Samuelsson for consulting services on how to turn Lenox Lounge around.

I doubt Richie Notar needs any help in making a successful restaurant in upper Lenox, others have done this and I don’t expect a well known restaurateur to ask for advice, but I question if he has a good understanding of Harlem culture. Marcus Samuelsson lived in Harlem and studied Harlem culture and food for several years to make Red Rooster part of Harlem, and it shows, not just in the décor but the clientele and vibe. Lenox lounge has so much history it would be a tragedy, in my opinion, if the Lenox Lounge was gutted of its décor and history to be replaced with a Frankenstein of old and new, however wildly successful and popular. Also, I am not happy with the current management of Lenox Lounge, but value the establishment and its history and hope it survives. I guess this is where business and preservation clash, I wish the best for the old Lenox Lounge and for its place in the new Harlem.

What Alvin Reed seems to miss is that Lenox Lounge, the name, and the decor have only limited value if he doesn't own the property. From the little bit that I know of the restaurant biz, the big money is creating a booming establishment, and flipping it (selling to investors.) Lenox Lounge certainly is not a booming business. And he's managed to tick off the patrons who would be his bread and butter (namely professionals from the hood.) I predict that he'll want too much money, and Harlem will lose another historical structure, just like we're about to lose the theater on 125th street.

Abraham Mitchell jr. As COO of ZAR ENTERTAINMENT LLC, based in Harlem. I beg to pose a question. To my Luvly black people, people of color and mainly to those in the HARLEM community. Where is the Passion, strenght, drive and fight that our forefathers soo possessed? Against grave OPPOSITION , no formal education, no major capital, no Computers and may I add no Social Media. With said were able today to Vote, own business, sit in front of buses, become educated and even HOLD THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND.. " PRESIDENT OF THE UNITEF STATES "! With all that's been sacrificed for us and soo sadly we have let the fruit of there labor spoil Rotten. It's time for us to rise up to the occasion and draw on the strength, passion and drive of those resting in there graves possible turning over. With all that we have at hand we must rise and fight to strengthen our Communities, cities, States and the nation. If we just continue to sit back and complain on the sidelines. They will continue to take away our Apollo Theater, radio stations ie ( wbls-98.7 kiss), our schools, land and restaurants ie The Lenox Lounge!! With the Obama's as our Blueprint and Role models of what can be achieved. We can enrich and empower our people and communits just like the JEWS, ITALIANS, AND SPANISH! We must rise and fight with the Furious strength , passion and pride of those behind us and before us! So my last question I will pose to ALL of us will we Fight or let white Corporate America continue as they have done for so many years to come in intimidate us , rob from us, steal from us and try and destroy us OR WILL WE FIGHT???

Mr. Smith you are totally entitled to your opinion. Just by the mare FACT you read my comment that rendered such a response, in my opinion seem to have touched a nerve ! Speaking in general " usually side liners go on the attack or defense "... I'm certain that's not you Mr. Smith.

Your very right SANOU.. I'm sure you read my comment in its entirety .. My point went waaaay beyond the Lenox Lounge! And its a Bar and Restaurant and underline ICONIC!! Why soo? Isn't the Apollo, WBLS and the now doomed 98.7 Kiss ICONIC institution in our community gone or being snatched away....? Just saying.

No joke, this is typical of the way of thinking of the old Harlem, quote “They will continue to take away our Apollo Theater, radio stations ie ( wbls-98.7 kiss), our schools, land and restaurants ie The Lenox Lounge!!”. The reality is the Lenox Lounge is not being taken away by the evil “they”, it was allowed to fall behind with bad management. The old Harlem mindset is one of blame, the new Harlem mindset is one of opportunity. This can be seen when walking upper Lenox and comparing the failing Lenox Lounge with the other booming establishments. Also, if Harlem had more Sylvia Woods (RIP) then Harlem would be a very different place today.

So then your implication is that its not a good thing 4 us to come together and fight against these oppositions? REALLY? Anything and everything I stood up for in life and in my communities I've won 98% of the time! Sorry I'm not a Sideliner. NEVER WAS AND NEVER WILL BE!!!!

Westsider you my dear sir have hit this right on the head. With all due respect to Mr. Mitchell Jr. your way of thinking is EXACTLY why Harlem is where it is today. let Harlem remain in the muck as long as we the few lucky ones prosper.

If the people you talk about loved Harlem so much why did they let it decay to the point where houses were falling down and continue to fall down? If they loved Harlem so much why did they let drug dealers openly sling their crap out of their buildings?

Please don't respond with the establishment allowed this because I completely disagree. I come from a country where poor people are "proud people" and they take care of what little they have. In fact they are often much more proud, clean and care than the folks with more money and education.

Many Harlemites of old were guilty of not truly appreciating what they had, do you know what happens when you don't appreciate what you have? Someone else appreciates it and eventually they take it.

So instead of blaming this "they" blame "yourselves" as in it was us that let it decay, it was us that were too busy having our palms greased to care about everyone, it was us that let us down.

OK. Time for me to chime in. 1. The Lenox Lounge is not failing. The issue is, like the rest of greed driven Harlem newcomers, the owner of the building is doubling the rent. Its unfortunate that many long time business owners are not afforded with the rent stabilization laws many of our residential New Yorkers so dearly take for granted. Lets see how everyone here blogging would feel one day you came home and found a notice that your rent was going from $10,000 to $20,000? You too would do what Lenox Lounge did...Take the greedy jerk to court. Or...maybe you wouldn't...cause its just business right? 2. TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT. Just because I happen to have a soda shop located on a street named PEPSI AVENUE doesn't mean I can open up a soda shop named PEPSI CORNER....enough said. 3. STAFF AND SERVICE. I will agee that, like most of the long standing family operated businesses in Harlem, Sylvia's included, the service, ambiances, social marketing and overall appeal of the Lenox Lounge needs a serious overhall! (Sylvia's is currently undergoing a companywide reorganization) Which is one of the reasons ZAR Entertainment LLC, a Harlem based event planning and consulting company is talking with the Lenox Lounge about these issues now; And is fully armed to tackle these issues head on. In closing, there is no sercet that "Corporate America" driven by greed alone, from slavery, to the Native Americans, have and will come in and rape entire areas and people. So, in short, and spread the word. The Lenox Lounge isn't going anywhere any time soon!

Corporate america? In other words capitalism! How can you complain about that in manhattan, one if the most expensive cities in the world. Of course in this town people are trying to make as much money a they can, they have too in order to live here

Wow, okay, as a woman and as someone who actually works on the issues of sexual assault, rape, and mass rape in armed conflict, your comparison of new owners taking over a restaurant to the rape of a people is HIGHLY OFFENSIVE. Are you sure your name isn't Todd Aiken?

Please, men, I understand you want to add some dramatic pizzazz to your arguments, but don't use rape for that purpose.

HARLEMBBC. I agree to a certain point. First my grandmother has lived In the same apartment on Saint Nicholas for over 50 years and has seen the area go up, down, up, down and etc. She was also an active member of her block association. She lives in a building she does not own, nor does she own the apartment. To get any repairs done by the ladloard is like pulling teeth. However, as soon as a person dies or moves out, brand new floors, new appliances, and new kitchen cabinets immediately get renovated. So I ask, what does the tenant who's been paying you rent faithfully for the past 50 years get??? NOTHING!! So, you have to place some blame on the landlords who let buildings decay in order to force people out (who been lining your pocket for years) in order double the rent....greed. And really as far as your "drug dealer dealer in front" claim...Obviously you have not had the opportunity to live in midtown. So let me let you know...down there the drug dealers are white and wear suits, ties and Polo shirts. They sling their dope in their buildings, outside of their buildings and the corner TGI Fridays.

Ah Atif, I have lived all over the city, never make assumptions, and yes I know all about the drug delivery businesses that frequent even the swankiest of addresses. Also why bring race to this drug dealers come in all shapes, genders, sizes and races? In Harlem they are mostly Hispanic and Black. My point in this case is that those addresses downtown, midtown etc are NOT run down, nor do they put up with any nonsenses from their landlords etc. They are activist and vote with their wallets as well as at the polls.

Landlords trying to move folks out of apartments is not exclusive to Harlem by the way it happens all over the city, however Harlem is a very special case because numerous buildings are owned by the City and instead of voting for people who will try to help Harlemites vote for the same old cronies whose only interest appears to be lining their pockets.

By the way just because you do not own your apartment does NOT mean you simply throw your hands up and let it fall into disrepair, this is where a bit of education comes into play learn what your rights are, you can do the repairs yourself and hold the rent payments in escrow. Keep good records and make sure you are paying the rent into the escrow account. Document each and every request for repair or service of any kind. If the landlord won't clean up the hallways then do it yourself. I cannot tell you how often I am picking trash off the streets etc in my hood; it is where I live and I for one do NOT want to live in a hell hole. Sometimes a bit of personal pride goes a long way.

Sorry to say this , but with "us" and "They" atitude, along with vaguely threatening and borderline racists remarks by Mr. Maydun-Ray and Mr. Mitchell, in my humble opinion, Lenox Lounge does not stand a chance.

Didn't the current tenant go to the newspapers this summer & say that he was moving on? He didn't seem to think the landlord was greedy for raising the rent, he just hoped the person who came in would preserve the heritage. That seems to be what's happening & now everyone is crying foul. Did I read the article wrong? The way I understood it his lease ran out in June - what is he still doing there at all? I'm not sure we should be assigning motive to the owner - who has not gone to the papers in regards to any of this. It's his building & he should be able to get paid just like everybody else, if not by the current tenant, then by somebody who can afford to pay him & bring the joint back up to snuff.

WELL, well, Well, my people of Harlem. I See i got a Tiger by its Tail..! Didn't mean to touch a NERVE!! I see all the replies, the rebuttals, the snie remarks and subliminals.. But thats good. As for Mike , HarlemB, Westsider and Sanou: and to all it may concern, why haven't anyone answered my questions I posed? So that u understand it I'll pose it again!! Where is the Passion, Spirit, Pride and fight of our forefathers? Ok got that? And why do we stand on the sidelines and watch Corporate America muscle away, Rob and Steal our culture , communities. O WAIT!! since that talk and term is Sooooo offensive to u all and Racists IN YOUR estimation. Let me make my statement simpler and so called not racists to you. Are you all prepared to stand against VOTER SUPPRESSION? IF U DONT KNOW THAT'S ONE OF THE CAUSES OUR FOREFATHERS FOUGHT FOR and WON! R U AWARE THAT CORPORATE AMERICA IS TRYING TO TAKE that RIGHT AWAY TODAY? OR R YOU GOIN TO STAND ON THE SIDELINE AND HURDLE EXCUSES.. JUST SAYING!!! So now can I get an actual ANSWER?

O so ur the bump in the road or blog should I say.. Mr. Or Miss Sanou( sorry I don't know ur gender ). I responded in a likely fashion to all the replies including yours .. O but wait a minute why are u speaking or responding on behalf of everyone else? Did someone appoint you Blog Master or Mistress.. Didn't think soo.. If ur goin to self appoint urself as such in which it seem u did.. Don't make it a habit of ignoring people just because there making a statement! And if some of the points hit home just yell OUCH And get out of the way !! We all can agree to disagree without a hostile LACED TONE!!! Luv u Sanou mean it ..

All comments to Lenox Lounge aside, BBC, please don't assume that Harlemites haven't been trying to take care of Harlem for decades. The recession in Harlem in the 70's and the heroin epidemic of the same time decimated many parts of New York, including Harlem. Add that to a city government that allowed slumlords to do whatever they wanted, redlining, which prevented those who did want to improve their neighborhoods the opportunity of doing so, and in many cases an inadequate police force that ignored Harlem and poor communities for many years, and it's no wonder that people haven't been able to fight back. Having grown up in Harlem in the 70's and 80's, I have seen people try to fight back (with suing the City, the slumlords, rent strikes), and even though many cases were won in court, they were never followed through and the situation continued. The city was a very different time in those days, and that includes the coverage given to people fighting for their homes, and the concern

There is always one piece conveniently missing from this story, that being many of the brownstones and buildings of Harlem could be purchased for pennies on the dollar from the City. Also at the same time, whites would rarely visit Harlem, so locals where not competing with white buyers. This was a time great opportunity for locals to buy up and fix up Harlem, make it something special to the community. Some did but many didn’t. Sylvia Woods (RIP) urged local businesses to buy their buildings, she did, many did not, the Lenox Lounge was one that did not. Throughout this time many of the beautiful buildings of Harlem were simply used as a public toilet or worse. In short, a great opportunity lost explained by blame.

Thank you for your insight. I lived on East 4th Street in the 70s back when you really really did not go east of Ave A. For any reason. Other than to score and even then you sent someone else. People forget.